Strauss's Arabella

From the New York Metropolitan Opera, the trials and tribulations of the landed gentry in 19th-century Vienna in this, Ricahrd Strauss's operatic depiction of one noblewoman's search for authentic love.

Set in the urban melting pot of Vienna around the 1860s, the plot of Arabella revolves around the Waldner family's attempts to keep up appearances as a member of the Austrian landed gentry. Having consulted a fortune teller about the state of the family finances, Countess Adelaide von Waldner, sung by mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, learns about a possible marriage on the cards for her daughter Arabella - performed by soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen who makes her debut in the role - that might raise the family out of debt. The clairvoyant warns, however, about the danger posed by a second daughter Zdenka - a role in which the soprano Louise Alder also makes her Met debut - who the matriarch raised as a boy to save the family from the ruinous expense of introducing two daughters into society.

In this sumptuous production by legendary director Otto Schenk, the bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny takes the role of the dashing count who sweeps Arabella off her feet, with bass Brindley Sherratt performing as the patriarch, Count Waldner, while tenor Pavol Breslik inhabits the role of Matteo - the young lieutenant and suitor of Arabella - with whom Zdenka has fallen in love. With the dramatic love triangle duly sprung, Strauss's compositional way with the soprano voices is showcased magnificently, and his orchestral craftsmanship evident in the touching final scene, where the listener is transported into a musical experience of forgiveness, wisdom, and the burgeoning of true love.

Presented from the Met by Debra Lew Harder and Ira Siff.

Richard Strauss: Arabella

Arabella ..... Rachel Willis-Sørensen (soprano)
Zdenka ..... Louise Alder (soprano)
Adelaide ..... Karen Cargill (mezzo-soprano)
Fiakermilli ..... Julie Roset (soprano)
Matteo ..... Pavol Breslik (tenor)
Mandryka ..... Tomasz Konieczny (bass-baritone)
Waldner ..... Brindley Sherratt (bass)
Orchestra and Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera, New York
Nicholas Carter (conductor)